Zimbabwean business came to a standstill this week as many firms closed down to ‘pave’ way for the 2008 presidential run-off poll ‘preparations’ which have been marred by violence fuelled by the ruling ZANU PF party.

Whether the presidential run-off election will take place this Friday or not remains a puzzle. This is mainly because the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai quit the race during the weekend citing the playing field is not level at all.

In the capital, the tobacco auction floors have been closed temporarily for elections.

The auction floors will close temporarily on Tuesday the 24th of June to pave way for the June 27 Presidential run-off and House of Assembly by-elections and re-open on Monday 30th June.

Sources say meanwhile, the tobacco deliveries continue to rise with the latest figures from the TIMB showing that 21.8 million kilograms have been sold at the three floors since the beginning of the selling season. The figure however represents a decrease of 11 percent in delivery compared to last year’s figure of 24.5 million kilograms after the same number of trading days.

The revenue figures are firm against an increase in the quantity delivered so far and an increase in the average prices this season. The average price this season is up by 38 percent at US3.13 from US$2.27 last year. Tobacco deliveries to the floors continue to improve significantly as a result of the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and firming prices. At least 75 million kg are expected to be delivered to the auction floors this season.

After Tsvangirai announced his election boycott, the state poured water on his stance and emphasised the run-off will take place. According to ZANU PF, if Tsvangirai doesn’t contest, Mugabe continues as president.

A worker at a leading IT firm said the have been given a week’s break from Monday the 23rd of June to the 1st of July.

“Owing to the fact that ZANU PF violence has affected many residents, our management resorted to allowing us to stay indoors at our respective homes.”

“We do not know how the situation will be like even after the elections. These are really sad developments here,” he said.

Late last week, the government announced schools will be closed from the 23rd of June and re-open on the 30th of June.

The state cited many of the schools will be used as polling stations hence the need of time to properly prepare for the elections.

Some businesses are also understood to be closing down on Wednesday, in case the companies or employees can be affected by the elections.

Many supermarkets and shops have cleared their shelves of basic commodities after the country’s president Robert Mugabe, his ministers and the National Incomes and Pricing Commission (NIPC) threatened a price freeze.

One shop manager hinted they had to remove basic commodities from the shelves because the ruling party resorts to a prize freeze as a campaign gimmick.

“They force us to sell goods at unreasonably very low prices at which we won’t realize any profit,” he said.

During the weekend, Tsvangirai called for international intervention in the country’s politics. According to the MDC, at least 70 of its members and supporters have been murdered by ZANU PF whilst many others are being arrested.

Members of the uniformed forced, especially policemen are also reported to have been forced to vote for Mugabe.

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